WAAO Awards

The WAAO awards program is similar to the IAAO program. It is designed:

·      To encourage professionalism.

·      To recognize outstanding achievements by individuals and institutions in the property taxation and assessment administration fields.

·      To promote participation in WAAO activities and programs.

·      To focus public attention on WAAO activities and individual member achievements.

Each year the WAAO Awards Committee reviews nominees for the following awards:

Most Valuable Member

This award is presented to the WAAO member who has over a period of years made a significant contribution to the Association through participation in its activities, and has made an outstanding contribution to the realization of WAAO’s goals. Current officers and executive board members are eligible, but previous winners are not.

Eligibility and criteria include:

·      Continued WAAO membership for at least 10 years.

·      Served as an elected position, committee chair, education program instructor, or speaker at WAAO conferences, seminars, etc.

·      Served as a WAAO representative.

·      Actively promoted WAAO as evidenced by new member recruitment.

·      Record of publication in professional literature.

·      Activity in other assessor/appraisal organizations.

·      Served in other public service organizations, national, regional, state or local government study commissions, committees, etc.

 Distinguished Assessment Jurisdiction

This award is conferred on a state, county, regional, or local assessment agency that has instituted a technical, procedural, or administrative program improving prior programs. The new program must be generally recognized as a component of a model assessment system, and a contributing factor to equity in property taxation. The program must have been implemented in the two years prior to nomination. Eligibility and criteria include:

·       Implemented an assessment measurement or performance evaluation program (assessment sales ratio studies, performance audits, etc.).

·      Instituted an annual assessment program.

·       Implemented computerized cost effective assessment procedures.

·      Instituted or begun a tax mapping program.

·      Created an assessment standards division to conduct performance audits, issue guidelines or manuals, provide awareness services to professional staff, etc.

Distinguished Research & Development

This award is conferred on a non-profit organization, education agency, private sector firm, public agency, or individual for original research in property assessment and taxation, and/or mass appraisal techniques and methods. The following are examples of eligible activities: 

·      A record of publication or programs that further the understanding of property taxation or represent the dissemination of information on new mass appraisal/valuation techniques.

·      Sponsorship of continuing educational programs of interest to assessors/appraisers.

·       Development of new assessment/appraisal computer applications or processes.

·       Development of theories or practical applications that are potentially useful for all assessing jurisdictions.

Public Information Program Award

This award is given to an assessment jurisdiction that   developed and implemented an effective taxpayer information system. It is open to all assessment jurisdictions or government agencies that have implemented a program in the two years prior to nomination. Eligibility and criteria include:

·      Publication of a taxpayer brochure describing assessment functions in a clear non-technical way.

·      Providing comprehensive assessment and tax notices informing taxpayers of their appeal rights.

·      Providing taxpayer forums or a regular communication program for local civic or taxpayer groups.

·      Providing opportunities for informal meetings with assessment personnel to discuss individual assessments.

·      Providing a regular taxpayer program/policy of news releases, press conferences, etc. and generally good communications through the local media.

 Publication Award

This award is given to a WAAO member (or members) that authors and publishes the best article, or essay on property tax administration, or a topic related to the assessment field. The article must have been published in a recognized state, regional, or national publication, such as the AVOW, professional organization newsletters, Assessment Digest, Property Tax Journal, etc. within two years prior to nomination. Eligibility and criteria include:

·      Publication of original article, essay, or other written work concerning assessment valuation methods and procedures, property tax administration, etc.

·      Publication of materials in a professional recognized journal, periodical, newsletter, or bulletin within the past two years.

·      Prior year awardees are not eligible for awards.

Distinguished Life Member Award

This award is selected and presented by the WAAO Executive Board to a WAAO member who has made substantial contributions to the assessment profession. Eligibility and criteria include: 

·      Continued WAAO membership for at least 10 years, or IAAO membership for at least 20 years.

·      Regular WAAO membership in good standing for at least 10 years at retirement.

·      Served on the Executive Board for at least one 3-year term.

·      Served as Secretary/Treasurer or President for one term.

·      Served on one or more standing committees for at least 2 full terms.

·      Served as instructor for WAAO sanctioned courses or seminars.

·      Served on DOR Education and Training Committee for at least 2 terms.

·      Lengthy service as a WAAO Representative, and/or service on various standing committees, (Legislative,  Exemption, Personal Property, Real Estate Standards, Education, etc.) or service to the League as Trustee through Past Chairman.

Unless otherwise noted, any individual or institution is eligible for an award regardless of WAAO membership status. Nominations are accepted from any source.

Individual members and governmental units are encouraged to submit nominations. Submission of your own activities and agency accomplishments should be viewed as a mechanism to share advancements and accomplishments with other WAAO members. The deadline for submitting nominations each year is July 1st.

The Awards Committee selects the annual award recipients from the nominations submitted. This year’s Committee members include:  

Joan Spencer, Chairperson,  Marshfield
(715) 384-3856
joan@ci.marshfield.wi.us

Martin Goldstein, Milwaukee
(414) 286-3177
martyg@execpc.com

Kathleen Isleb,  Wauwatosa
(414) 479-8969
kisleb@ci.wauwatosa.wi.us

Peter Weissenfluh,  Milwaukee
(414) 286-3103
pweiss@ci.mil.wi.us

Andy Berkhout,  Manitowoc
(920) 683-4428

The Most Valuable Member from the previous year automatically Chairs the Committee, serving with the two prior Most Valuable Recipients and two WAAO members at large. The awards are presented annually after the Wednesday evening banquet at the League of Municipalities Assessor’s Institute. WAAO reserves the right not to present an award in any category in any year. Materials submitted in conjunction with nomination forms become the property of WAAO.

The forms will be available at the check-in table for the March 6th and June 5th general membership meetings. An attempt will also be made to have the forms available on WAAO’s web site.

Questions concerning the awards can be directed to the attention of the Awards Committee Chairperson, or other Committee members. Nomination forms can be obtained from, and should be submitted to:

Joan Spencer,  City Assessor

WAAO Awards Committee Chairperson

630 S Central Ave  PO Box 727

Marshfield WI  54449

Phone:  (715) 384-3856

Fax: (715) 384-7831.